The 4th Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network

The 4th Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network dedicated to the theme of “Commemorating 70 years of the Bandung Spirit: the role of Parliaments in upholding the Bandung principles” took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on April 6, 2025, with more than 250 participants from 43 delegations, including Speakers and Deputy Speakers of their respective national parliaments, as well as inter-parliamentary organizations.

The participants of the 4th Conference were welcomed by Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network. In her opening remarks, Ms. Sahiba Gafarova highlighted that the 4th Conference of the NAM PN is remarkable in the sense that it coincides with the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Bandung Declaration.

Ms. Sahiba Gafarova stated that the past years can testify that the Bandung Principles have never lost their credibility and validity; on the contrary, current developments in international relations testify that the Bandung Principles should be adopted as a driving force to lead us through the complex challenges that we face today. The strict adherence to the principles such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, equality, non-interference in internal affairs, respect for justice and international obligations is essential for the peaceful coexistence of all nations and their fruitful cooperation for a better future.

Chairperson emphasised that our parliaments have come forward with a strong desire to play a significant role in achieving ideals and purposes enshrined in the Bandung Principles. This approach indicates not only readiness to support our governments in the advancement of these principles, but also a firm belief in the potential of inter-parliamentary cooperation for the sake of peace, justice and sustainable development. In this sense, the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network is the reflection of our common vision.

Chairperson recalled that at the 18th Summit of Non-Aligned Movement held in Baku in 2019, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, His Excellency, Mr Ilham Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan would build its chairmanship priorities and activities on the basis of the Bandung principles. Several initiatives of His Excellency as the Chair of the NAM have been vital for strengthening solidarity, mutual support and multidimensional cooperation among the members of the Movement, as well as its institutional development. Hence, the Parliamentary Network can be evaluated as one of the important achievements of the Azerbaijani chairmanship in the NAM.

Ms. Sahiba Gafarova underlined that the Parliamentary Network was inaugurated in November 2021 in Madrid on the sidelines of the 143rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Since that time, 3 Conferences have been held in Baku, Manama and Geneva, respectively in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The Chairperson mentioned that the total number of participants at these events was more than 1000 people, including about 90 speakers and vice-speakers from 70 countries, and 15 international organisations. Each conference witnessed the rise in the number of participants, which was the result of the growing interest in the Network. Today, it represents over half of the parliaments of the NAM Member States.

Chairperson emphasised that each Conference has been crucial in terms of the institutional development of the Network. The Baku Conference adopted the Statute, the official logo and flag, and elected a chair and 3 vice-chairs. The Manama Conference further developed and improved the working methods of the Network. The Geneva Conference adopted decisions on establishing the Bureau and 4 Standing Committees. Developing institutional dialogue with other organisations has also been one of the main focus points of the Network. It has observer status in 6 organisations, while 7 organisations have been granted observer status in the Network.

Ms. Sahiba Gafraova pointed up that the Parliamentary Network has also been active in representing our parliaments in international platforms, with the aim of promoting the ideas and purposes of it. As the Chair of the Network, I participated in a number of important events, such as the G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit and the Summit-level meeting of the NAM Contact Group in response to COVID-19. More than 60 bilateral meetings have been held with the leadership of the parliaments of member states of the Network and international organisations, which focused on the issues of strengthening our dialogue and cooperation.

The role of the Secretariat of the Network in operating as an important point of contact between our parliaments, as well as engaging in the awareness-raising events, was also mentioned in the speech.

Stressing that the Parliamentary Network has become an exceedingly important and valuable platform for developing bilateral relations between the Non-Aligned Movement Member States' legislatures, Ms. Sahiba Gafarova mentioned the establishment of 20 additional parliamentary friendship groups in the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan for the parliaments of the Movement's Member States. Those groups are designed to expand our ties with the participating Parliaments. Overall, out of 104 friendship groups operating in the Milli Majlis, 49 cover the Parliaments of the Network Members.

In the concluding part of her address, Chairperson Gafarova spoke of the existence of significant opportunities for further development of the NAM PN and deepening of our co-operation. She called on the Participating Parliaments to become actively engaged in this process and continue the joint work advancing towards the shared objectives.

The Conference then went on with the other participants taking the floor.

The Chairperson of the Senate of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Ms. Tulia Ackson, the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Mr. Martin Chungong, the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Mr. Numan Kurtulmuş, the Chairman of the Senate of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr. Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Ms. Natallia Kachanava, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Arab Republic of Egypt Mr. Hanafy Gebaly, the Speaker of the People's Majlis of the Republic of Maldives Mr. Abdul Raheem Abdulla, the President of the House of Councillors of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco Mr. Sidi Mohamed Ould Er- Rachid, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal Mr. Dev Raj Ghimire, the President of the Arab Parliament Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Alyammahi, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties Mr. Euiyong Chung, the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States Mr. Mehmet Süreyya Er, the Secretary General of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly Mr. Mohammad Reza Majidi, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Ms. Aktoty Raimkulova, the President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace Mr. Ahmed Aljarwan, the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Mr. Asaf Hajiyev and the parliamentarians of other countries delivered their speehes on the theme of the 4th Conference and offered their congratulations on the high organisational standards to which the event adhered.

Following this, the Conference considered several organisational items on its agenda. A decision was passed to extend the mandate of the Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network, Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, for another three-year term, along with the extension of terms for the Vice-Chairpersons. The Decision on the extension of the mandates of both the Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons was adopted.

The Conference also adopted the Tashkent Declaration, reflecting the unanimous position of the Network's Member Parliaments and containing several key provisions.

The declaration notably emphasises the need to further develop the Parliamentary Network's institutional framework, including making its Bureau and standing committees operational, whilst continuing discussions on establishing the Network's headquarters. The document also secured support for the Baku Climate Pact and key outcomes of COP29.